Starting in January, traditional incandescent bulbs will be on their way out the door. A 2007 bill is setting new efficiency standards for light bulb manufacturers, stating that 40 watt bulbs must draw just 10.5 W, and 60 W bulbs can only draw 11 W. While this move is ultimately meant to conserve the nation’s available energy, the transition may actually not be so beneficial in other aspects. Broader use of CFLs may actually come with some unwanted health risks – most notably in regards to people’s skin. Another concern surrounding CFL light bulbs has to do with their potential to trigger migraine headaches. According to Mark Green, MD, Professor of Neurology, Headache, Anesthesiology, and Rehabilitation Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, current fluorescent lights are reviled by many migraine suffers, who claim certain forms of lighting can prompt painful attacks.
-Dr. Mark Green, Professor, Neurology, Headache, Anesthesiology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiLearn more